He smiled. “I did not ask, but he assured me he would be happy to do so in his note. I will let him know once we have a definite time and date.”
They continued to make plans over tea and refreshments until William remembered that he needed to visit the Gardiners to find out if they had returned. “Might I accompany you, William?” Elizabeth asked. “I would like to see them to explain matters, especially Jane, and invite them to the wedding in person.”
“We do not know they will be there,” he said but then considered for a moment. His eyes lit up when he came up with a solution that would allow the privacy he desired. “We could take a phaeton, and I could drive us there. If they are not returned, we can leave a note. Do you foresee any problems with that plan, Aunt?”
She smiled at him and agreed with the plan. “How quickly can you return from Darcy House with the phaeton?”
He estimated he could return in half an hour. Lady Matlock ushered Elizabeth upstairs to help her prepare for her ride across London with William and loaned her a bonnet appropriate for the open carriage. The half-hour passed quickly, and William was in the entry waiting for Elizabeth when she arrived alone. He greeted her as though they had been apart much longer than just half an hour, and they exited the house slightly breathless as Elizabeth adjusted her bonnet before she smilingly boarded the equipage.
She teased him as he helped her into the open carriage. “If you always greeted me that way, we would have been married long ago.”
“If I greeted you like that on our first meeting, you would have slapped me,” he teased, and she laughed out loud.
“You might be right about that,” she laughed, “but it would have been a very different meeting! You never know; I might have been tempted beyond my ability.”
He groaned at her teasing volley. “I love you, Elizabeth. You are incredibly handsome, the most handsome lady I have ever known, and if I told you how much you tempt me, you would slap me for sure.” He relished the light laugh and blush his comment caused.
William took the long route to Gracechurch Street, giving them more time to enjoy the other’s company. As they made their way through London, Darcy and Elizabeth relished the opportunity to discuss their plans for the remainder of the season and their wedding trip. Darcy would have taken her nearly anywhere she wanted to go (there was a war on the continent to be considered) and was pleased that, most of all, Elizabeth wanted to see Pemberley. After seeing Darcy House and hearing thatPemberley was far more impressive, she could not imagine going anywhere else.
In plain sight of everyone around them, he leaned over and kissed her. “I have dreamt of taking you home to Pemberley, my dearest Elizabeth, but I wonder, after some time at Pemberley, would you like to visit the Darcy cottage at the Lakes? I am afraid I will not be able to give you the attention you deserve at Pemberley; too many people need my attention there.”
She smiled up at him. “And you do not know how to ignore such demands on your time, do you, my dear man? You are very attentive to all your duties, and I admire you for such responsibility. Yes, I would adore a trip to the Lakes with you. Perhaps we can stay at Pemberley for a month before travelling to the cottage for a fortnight?”
He kissed her again. “That would be perfect, dearest.”
Chapter Eight
William’s knock on the Gardiner’s door was quickly answered by the housekeeper, who was surprised to see the master’s niece standing there. “Miss Elizabeth! We did not expect you for several more days,” she exclaimed.
“My plans changed, and I hope to visit my aunt and uncle if they are home,” Elizabeth informed her. The housekeeper stepped aside so they could enter and informed her the Gardiners had arrived home only a few hours ago and were taking tea in the drawing room.
“Lizzy!” Jane cried when Elizabeth entered the room. She rushed to hug her and paused when she saw Mr Darcy standing behind her. “Mr Darcy!” she cried in surprise.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner stood more calmly when Elizabeth entered the room but were also surprised to see the tall, handsome man standing behind her. They were reassured by the broad smile on Elizabeth’s face but wondered what brought the two to their door several days before Elizabeth was expected.
Elizabeth first hugged Jane, then moved to her aunt and uncle to greet them in the same fashion before she spoke. “Mr Darcy, my uncle, Mr Edward Gardiner, and his wife, Madeline Gardiner. Aunt, Uncle, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, in Derbyshire.”
With introductions out of the way, Mrs Gardiner invited everyone to sit and called for additional cups and fresh tea. All noted the courteous way Mr Darcy treated Elizabeth and that he stayed close to her. Mrs Gardiner particularly noticed the frequent looks between them as they exchanged pleasantries while waiting for tea.
Finally, after everyone had been served their tea and pastries, the discussion turned to more serious matters. “Elizabeth, I have been patient, but can you tell us why you are in London already? You were not to arrive until early next week?” her aunt enquired, a hint of impatience in her tone. “I confess I am quite surprised at you and Mr Darcy turning up on our doorstep without a chaperone accompanying you.”
Elizabeth and Darcy flushed slightly, and Elizabeth patted his arm as she took a deep breath and began her story: “Much has happened in the last few days and weeks, Aunt. I met Mr Darcy again in Kent—he was visiting his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who resides at Rosings Park, next to the parsonage, and is Mr Collins’ patroness.” She explained the events of the last several days, ending with Mr Darcy’s visit to Hertfordshire and Mr Bennet’s letter to Elizabeth recommending they marry as soon as it could be arranged.
Mr Darcy then took up the story. “My great-uncle is a bishop and helped me obtain a special licence that should be delivered tomorrow. My aunt took Elizabeth shopping this morning to order clothes for her trousseau. They even found a dress for the wedding that will be ready tomorrow afternoon. She is planningto host the wedding and wedding breakfast from Matlock House. Given Mr Bennet’s letter, we hoped to hold the wedding on Saturday morning if you are available then.”
Mr and Mrs Gardiner looked at each other for a long moment. “Elizabeth, this is sudden and quite a change from when we last saw you. Gentlemen, may we ladies have a few minutes to speak privately?” Aunt Gardiner said.
“Let us go into my study, Mr Darcy,” Mr Gardiner suggested. The gentlemen stood and exited, but not before Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand, kissing it and then squeezing it gently in encouragement. Neither gesture was missed by the sharp eyes of Mr or Mrs Gardiner, who were watching the couple carefully.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Mrs Gardiner turned to Elizabeth. “Elizabeth, in December, you could barely stand the man. Now, you appear eager to marry him. What has changed between then and now?” she demanded.
“Oh, Aunt, I was so wrong about him before. He truly is the best of men; you should not worry about that,” she said. “We met many times in Kent and discussed all manner of things. I misunderstood him in Hertfordshire and allowed others to prejudice me against him. Honestly, I was already upset with him and perfectly willing to believe the worst of him. However, we were able to discuss these matters calmly and clearly, and I do love him very dearly now. He has been patient and kind with me, and we have much in common.”
“What changed?” her aunt persisted.
“I confess that he drew my eye from the first moment I saw him. However, his comment at the assembly angered me and insulted my vanity. From that point, I believed him to be contrary inevery word he spoke, but at Rosings, after he apologised for the comment he made, I truly began to reconsider each of our interactions and realised I was determined to see the worst in him. That, and the conversations we had while walking at Rosings and in various drawing rooms here in London, have shown me that he truly is my perfect match. I cannot imagine loving anyone as much as I love William,” Elizabeth enthused. “I have found much to admire in him; he is so very good and kind.”
Her aunt nodded, carefully considering all her niece told her. “I cannot say that I am thrilled about a wedding happening in mere days, but since your father did not see fit to give us any more details about why a quick wedding is preferable, we will support it. I hope you will stay in London for some time after the wedding, my dear. Your uncle and I will want to see you and be assured of your happiness and well-being.”
